One A Day – 587 – New, New

Well, two versions of one photo, but that is hardly news. But if you could see the file, you would have a better idea. I’m shooting with a new camera and it will give you an idea why file size in megabytes (mb) is a poor way to compare cameras. My new camera is a Pentax K3. My other camera is a Pentax KR. The KR is rated at 12.3 megapixels. Megapixels are not megabytes, but the RAW files out of the camera average around 11 mb. The Pentax K3 is rated at 24.3 megapixels but the RAW files out of the camera are around 4omb. What gives? The specification of the K3 actually means a significant increase of resolution (information) in the files and it shows in the photos as I look at them in post processing. They have a better tonal curve (more range from highlight to shadow), more detail, and more sharpness. I am going to need a new external drive.. (ugh), but these are certainly capable of being printed for exhibition. As a matter of fact, these two versions are intended to be exhibited opposite each other, as two views of the image. I look at them and I can’t believe the detail.

There is another piece to this puzzle too – the lens this photo was shot with is a Pentax 50mm 1.8. Yes, a fixed 50mm lens that has a low f-stop. Because the design of 50mm lenses was figured out a long time ago, when we all had 35mm cameras and used them as “normal” lenses, they can be less expensive, fast and quite compact. This one looks like a toy next to the Sigma zooms I use all the time. But, it is oh-so-fast catching focus and quite sharp. For the size sensor I use, it is a good portrait lens and mild telephoto. I’m looking forward to using it a lot and I’m certain I will.

The new camera is designed for professional and semi-professional use – meaning less consumer presets to fool with and more features that match how experienced photographers that post process their images use on a regular basis. I’m really happy with it. But, that also means a learning curve to get used to it.

I’m committed to not changing my style to match the camera, but you can count on richer detail, better results in low light (which I shoot a lot) and a lot of exploration. I hope you have fun seeing the new work. I’m going to enjoy doing it.